Indonesian Horror Hit ‘Pabrik Gula’ Gets 2028 Sequel as MD Entertainment Lines Up Three Imax Films

Indonesian entertainment powerhouse MD Entertainment is building on the success of its acclaimed horror film "Pabrik Gula" with a sequel set for release in early 2028. The announcement was made by Astrid Wienardi, MD’s head of content licensing and global business, during the Taiwan Creative Content Fest, signaling the studio’s ongoing commitment to expanding its footprint in the horror genre.

"Pabrik Gula," which debuted in 2025, captivated Indonesian audiences, selling over 5 million tickets domestically before reaching viewers across Southeast Asia and extending into the U.S. and European markets. Its widespread appeal has encouraged MD Entertainment to invest in further installments, reflecting the studio’s strategic focus on culturally rich storytelling that resonates beyond Indonesia.

Building on this momentum, MD Entertainment plans to release three films in the Imax format in 2027. This initiative follows the success of "Badarawuhi," a prequel to the hit "KKN di Desa Penari," which holds the distinction of being the first Southeast Asian film shot specifically for Imax theaters. One of the upcoming Imax projects will be based on "Dhot Design," a popular YouTube animated series that consistently garners between 8 and 10 million views per episode, illustrating MD's efforts to leverage established digital content to reach broader audiences.

MD Entertainment's portfolio spans over 200 feature films, with a production slate of 12 to 13 releases planned for 2027. The studio’s output prioritizes horror but also embraces comedy and drama, demonstrating a versatile approach to content creation. Their horror films, such as "KKN di Desa Penari," have set box office records in Indonesia, with the latter attracting 10.7 million viewers. The genre’s cross-border appeal has facilitated MD’s expansion into international markets, particularly where folklore and supernatural themes have universal resonance.

Another notable upcoming release is "Ivanna 2," scheduled for early next year. The original "Ivanna" film, a spin-off from MD’s "Danur" horror universe, found moderate success domestically but achieved remarkable box office numbers in Vietnam, highlighting the region’s growing appetite for Indonesian horror narratives. This performance aligns with MD’s strategy of responding to audience feedback and platform partner insights to determine whether to extend franchises or develop spin-offs.

Streaming platforms play a critical role in MD Entertainment’s distribution strategy. Netflix features eight MD titles, including the drama "Ipar Adalah Maut" (translated as "Brother-in-Law Is Death"), which dominated the streamer’s trending list for an entire week and maintained a top 10 position for seven weeks. A second season is already in development with a potential release next year. Additionally, MD’s productions have a significant presence on WeTV, where seven of the platform’s top 20 titles are MD creations, including "Layangan Putus," which gained traction in 25 countries.

On Prime Video, the mother-daughter series "Induk Gajah" secured a second season shortly after its 2023 debut, contributing to subscriber growth. Furthermore, a recent multi-title deal with iQIYI promises new content rollouts by the end of this year and into the first quarter of 2027, underscoring MD’s expanding influence across Asian streaming services.

Music integration is another dimension of MD’s holistic content approach. The Netflix series "Suara Hati," featuring lead actresses who are also dangdut singers, generated 100,000 downloads in its first week across Spotify and YouTube Music. Similarly, "Bakti," a track from the recently released "Danyang: Mahar Tukar Nyawa," surpassed 200,000 Spotify downloads, exemplifying the studio’s ability to cross-promote film and music assets.

A defining characteristic of MD Entertainment’s creative philosophy is its insistence on preserving local cultural identity within its stories. This approach, championed by CEO Manoj Punjabi, ensures that while the studio aims for universal appeal, it remains rooted in Indonesian traditions and folklore. Such cultural authenticity has helped MD maintain a dominant share of the Indonesian film market, estimated at around 65%, significantly outpacing local content penetration in neighboring markets like Taiwan.

The studio’s success is also attributed to Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, where folklore and spiritual narratives are an integral part of family life and community traditions. This deep well of storytelling material provides fertile ground for horror films that connect with audiences on a profound level. While horror has proven to be MD’s most internationally transferable genre, the studio is also exploring adaptations of Thai and Korean content, along with collaborations with Korean partners like Barunson, reflecting a growing trend of cross-cultural exchanges in the region.

MD Entertainment is actively seeking partnerships with creators from East Asia, including Taiwan, encouraging pitches that demonstrate clear market fit and proven success. The acquisition of free-to-air channel NET TV, backed by a substantial investment from Korea’s SBS, further strengthens MD’s distribution capabilities. The channel’s performance metrics are closely monitored to guide programming decisions, with the ambition to secure a top-five ranking in Indonesia’s competitive television landscape.

Looking ahead, MD Entertainment envisions collaborative ventures with Taiwanese filmmakers and producers to explore shared storytelling traditions and expand the reach of Southeast Asian narratives. As the studio continues to advance its slate of culturally grounded horror and genre projects, it remains a pivotal force in shaping the region’s cinematic identity and exporting its stories to the global stage.